Tag: Paul

Joy

December 13, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Joy is an important and unique quality needed in leaders.

Paul could sing praises at midnight while imprisoned for Christ. He wrote from prison to the church at Philippi, “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I will say, rejoice.”

The letter to the Philippians also helps us see what happens when someone robs the church of that joy (Euodia and Syntyche).

Paul’s joy was based on his relationship with God, not his external situation, but he did not want anyone taking joy away from the church. Therefore, he instructed them to “live in harmony in the Lord.”

One of our tasks as leaders today is to have and instill joy in the church.

Time

December 10, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

The most valuable commodity we have is time. The greatest gift we can give is our time. Leading people requires time. We all have the same amount. How we use it determines the difference we make as leaders.

Solomon said there is a time for everything.

From birth to death, Jesus was on God’s time. Paul wrote “in the fullness of time God sent forth His Son.” Approaching the final days of His life, Jesus prayed, “Father, the hour has come.”

Paul instructs Christians to use their time wisely because the days are evil.

In this crazy, busy, scheduled life we live, how are we using our time?

Power

November 25, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Problems arise when leaders abuse power, or base their power on an inward self-centeredness.

Spiritual leadership must be built on the power of God.

When our leadership turns inward and self-centered, it will fail.

True leadership is about the power that comes from our God through His gracious and indescribable gift, Jesus.

He is the power to save, to make all things happen, and to lead.

Paul wrote “no man has the power to lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus the Christ” (1 Co. 3:11).

Let us pray for His guidance and direction in our leadership.

Sacrifice

November 8, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

To lead is to sacrifice. Sacrifice is found at every level of leadership. When will the sacrifice need to be made? How large of a sacrifice will be necessary?

Perhaps above all, are we willing to make the sacrifice?

If we go below the surface and examine Paul’s leadership, we will find a leader who made great sacrifice. His level of sacrifice is exemplified throughout his writings. He speaks of sacrifices made in the past, present, and future. Whatever it took, he was willing to do.

We could spend weeks considering all the sacrifices required of leaders today. Regardless of what may come to mind, let us arise and make the sacrifices necessary to lead.

God demands it and the church depends on it.

Why Wait?

November 7, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Do we know what should be done? Why are we waiting to do it? Do we have the ability and resources to make it happen? Why are we waiting?

Souls are waiting. The church is waiting. Our God is waiting.

God has given us the ability and resources to make it happen.

Why are we waiting?

With so much at stake, will our waiting be worth it if we wait too long?

Application generally applies to anyone who delays obedience to the gospel. The same is true for leading.

We need to challenge our excuses. We cannot wait any longer. Paul’s words to the church at Corinth should be remembered, “Act like men.” Leadership will not wait!

Being Spent

September 20, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Spiritual leaders need to consider the words of Paul, “I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls.”

Paul was willing to give of himself in every way for the benefit of others. Specifically, he desired their salvation.

In a self-serving and self-driven world, it is challenging to find those who have a greater desire to give than receive. However, as spiritual leaders, our focus must be on giving ourselves to others so that they might be saved.

I pray our spiritual leadership is of such nature that we look for ways to give of ourselves to help direct people to heaven.

The Past

July 8, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

We are all shaped by the events of our past. It may be teaching, experience, or influence. They are either positive or negative as we consider how the past shapes us.

Paul was an apostle molded by his family heritage, academic credentials, knowledge of Old Testament scripture, and zealous attack against the church.

However, he did not allow the past to dictate the direction of his future. Paul’s focus quickly became spiritually and heavenly directed.

We cannot relive or change the past. As leaders, we must learn from the past in order to prevent repeating areas that hinder our influence and focus.

Suffering and Glory

June 11, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

We know Jesus suffered while on earth: the persecution He endured, despising the shame, and the ultimate sacrifice at the cross.

John describes the glory of Jesus in the Revelation, and of all the terms that could have been used––sovereign Lord, Prince of peace, Mighty God, Creator, or Christ––John chose “Lamb.” Why use Lamb? Because He was the sacrifice made for the world. Suffering cannot be separated from the glory.

Paul reminds us that the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us, but suffering comes first.

The Mind of Christ

May 29, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

A spiritual leader invests in seeking the mind of Christ.

Paul highlights a Christlike motive: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit.”

He identifies the foundational attitude: “But with humility of mind.”

The concluding activity is vital to the mind of Christ: “Regard one another as more important than yourselves.”

The significance of understanding the mind of Christ must be coupled with the need to seek the mind of Christ.

When these two areas meet, leadership provides a Christlike direction for others.

Knowing God

May 28, 2024 bobturner Daily Leadership, saltJournal 0 Comments

Spiritual leadership involves qualities, traits, virtues, and principles that are instrumental in guiding one’s character formation.

The foundation is to know God.

Jesus said eternal life aligns with knowing God and the One sent by Him.

Paul also spoke of the significance of knowing God by claiming his willingness to count everything as loss for the “surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:8).

Heritage, material possessions, academic achievement, and religious position were all worthless in view of this knowledge.

Leadership God’s way is driven by a passion to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord.

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